learning from People

Stories

Telling is everything

Sharing Experience

Mill Neck International offers a collection of stories made by people around the world. Explore an array of International Development topics such as Deaf people pushed for change in their country, how Deaf people succeeded in their business, volunteering experiences, Lessons Learned!

Screenshot of a video in which a man is seated in front of a green background, signing to the camera. English captions are at the bottom of the screen.

Hearing and Deaf Kids Connecting

In one school in Zimbabwe, Africa, hearing students and deaf students didn’t interact. But one day, that changed–hearing and deaf kids connected.

Screen shot from video interview for Lisa Ramansar with Caribbean Deaf News.

Lisa Ramansar from Trinidad Interview with Deaf Caribbean News

Caribbean Deaf News interviews with Lisa Ramansar from Trinidad. She grew up without sign language then learned to sign as an adult.

Screenshot from video in which Thành Nguyễn explains the start of his Vietnam Deaf Hairstyling Business

Vietnam Deaf Hairstyling Business: Generating deaf employment

A decade ago, he was a novice hairstylist. Now he owns his own Vietnam deaf hairstyling business with many deaf and hearing customers.

A group of about 15 people in school uniforms crowd together. Most are standing, one person crouches in front.

Establishing a Deaf School in Ethiopia: How it Was Done

First, his Deaf Center taught sign language to deaf people. Next, the government established a deaf school. Read how it was done.

Screen shot from a video in which Broad Street Media interviews Lionel Smith

Lionel Smith Interview by Broad Street Media in Barbados

Watch an interview with Lionel Smith, who was president of the New Life Deaf Club in Barbados from 2013 to 2018. Shows history of the club.

Sign showing Ghana National Association of the Deaf with Sarah standing in front

Showcase: GNAD

Sarah visited Ghana last year & worked with GNAD Youth. Watch the video to learn more!

Sign Language and Deaf Education in South Africa

Ayanda Ntukwana at Sign Language Education and Development (SLED) shares her experience in Deaf education in South Africa.

Don’t give “Nana Gifts”

Lesson learned? Ask people want they want and need. Imagine how excited your home community will be knowing that they are collecting goods which will be appreciated and used to make a real difference in people’s lives. Don’t send “Nana gifts.” Ask first.

Image of a flow chart entitled "How A Law is Passed". The left side of the flow chart shows how a bill passes through the Philippines House of Representatives, the right side shows how the same bill passes through the Philippines Senate. In both the House and the Senate, a Representative or Senator writes and files a bill, which is then assigned a number starting with HB (for the House version of the bill) or SB (for the Senate version of the bill). Next, different versions of the bill are written by different Representatives or Senators, and the first "Reading" of the bill is held in the House and in the Senate. Then the House version of the bill is assigned to a House of Representatives Committee while the Senate version of the bill is assigned to a Senate Committee. Next, each Committee calls a Public Hearing. The bill goes to a Technical Working Group (TWG) in the House and in the Senate. Then a second Reading is held and the House Committee and the Senate Committee each approve their version of the bill. Then there is a third Reading and Plenary Debate of each version of the bill. If the bill is approved in both the House and the Senate, then the two versions of the bill are brought together in the Conference Committee so that the Committee can merge the House and Senate versions of the bill. Finally, the President can sign the bill into law. To the left of the flow chart is a note that says "Approved and passed HB 7503". To the right side of the flow chart, there is a photograph of a group of people with excited facial expressions. Also to the right of the flow chart are two notes, one saying "SB1455 approved in the TWG level" and the other note saying "2nd Reading Passed" (in reference to the Senate version of the bill). Below the flow chart is another message that says, "The lobbying and advocacy is not yet but we are one step CLOSER! The Philippine Federation of the Deaf needs your support. #SaveOurFilipinoSignLanguage"

Passing the Filipino Sign Language Act

The president of the Philippines Federation of the Deaf explains the process for passing the Filipino Sign Language Act.

Deaf Law Students: Juventus Duroinaah & Vianney Sierralta Aracena

Advocates around the world are fighting for Deaf rights–and some are lawyers. Two Deaf law students tell their stories.